Supporting Girls in STEM
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
“STEM it like a girl” is a program that promotes careers (professions) in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field with the focus on STEM education and career for young girls and women.
The program aims to reduce the gap in education of young women and men, reduce the professional segregation of women in low-paid occupations and professions with low opportunities for advancement, and reduce the stereotypical division of “male” and “female” occupations. This will reduce gender differences in the labor market (activity, employment and wages) and women will have a greater role in economic development and greater economic independence.
The approach that this program has includes several components, as follows:
Public campaign for promotion of STEM careers
Through motivational speeches and sharing of their own experiences by women (from the country, the region and the diaspora) who have successful careers in some of the areas in STEM.
Through these activities, we will encourage young girls to make a choice for further education and career in STEM.
Practical training
Within this component we will provide practical training in top Macedonian companies that are our partners in the implementation of our other regular activities.
Research on the main barriers
Identification of the obstacles and challenges that girls face for enrollment and career development in the STEM field. Barriers are divided into three areas: family, education, and the wider environment. This component will be based on data analysis and a school questionnaire. Most of the activities are aimed at young girls aged 13-18 (primary and secondary education), a period that is crucial in guiding and encouraging students in choosing further education and career.
Based on the findings of the research, measures and recommendations for public policies to reduce the main barriers to all relevant stakeholders in our country and the region will be developed and proposed.
The main beneficiaries of the program are young women from primary education, secondary education and college.
Expected results of the project are:
Increasing the number of potential students in higher education institutions in STEM;
GROWTH
Raising the awareness of young girls about STEM careers;
AWARENESS
Reducing and stopping the brain drain;
MOTIVATION
Building professionals of high demand with skills and experience.
KNOWLEDGE
Testimonials
International, independent, non-political ‘think & do’ tank founded in 2007 by Macedonian expatriates.
